Liverpool is one of the most successful clubs in the history of English football, and one of the most successful football clubs in Europe and the world.

"We are the champions of Europe and we are going to be the champions of England too!" This is the confidence shown by Benitez and Liverpool before the start of the season.

The Premier League championship is not so easy to get, and some media have analyzed and pointed out, "If Liverpool can really win the Premier League championship this season, it will be no less surprising than the miracle of winning the European Champions Cup last season." ”

This is because of Liverpool's strength.

Liverpool's squad has changed a lot in the summer, and Benitez's ability makes their future worth looking forward to, but compared with the stable and strong Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal who have been competing with England for the past decade, Liverpool is just embarking on the road to revival, and the prospect of a step to the top is not optimistic.

The analysis of the media is not bad.

So far this season, Liverpool's results have been very pitiful, they have only won two of the last nine games, plus four draws, and the points are only a pitiful 10 points, and the 12th place in the league is very inconsistent with Liverpool's 'Champions League' title.

Many people say that Benitez is good at playing European competitions, and he seems to have nothing to do with the league.

This is not unreasonable.

One thing is certain: before Benitez took charge of Liverpool, Liverpool was also not very competitive in the domestic league, and they could only be regarded as the 'Premier League semi-final', but they were much worse than Manchester United and Arsenal, and they were not comparable to the rising Chelsea.

That's the case with Liverpool.

When Liverpool met Millwall, the game was still played at Anfield, and most of the media were still optimistic about Liverpool because of their history, because they were giants, and because they played at home: Anfield Stadium was considered "one of the scariest away games in England".

Millwall always seemed to be underestimated.

Maybe it's still a comparison of teams, and when they meet the lower teams in the Premier League, Millwall will become a favored team, such as when they played Sunderland, Millwall were unanimously favored.

Now playing Liverpool, the media's perception is, "In order to ensure the competitiveness of the second half of the fixture, Liverpool has reached the moment to win!" ”

Zhang Yang was dismissive of this.

If Millwall had met Liverpool at the beginning of the season, the media might not even have to explain it, and would have been optimistic about Liverpool.

In short, the big teams have always been favored.

As a promoted horse, no matter how good Millwall's results are, they have always been unfavorable.

Zhang Yang is a little used to it.

The whole Millwall team got used to it.

Before the start of the game, Zhang Yang mainly reminded the team not to be affected by the away atmosphere, Anfield Stadium is considered 'terrifying' for a reason, Liverpool have some of the most loyal fans in the world and will do whatever it takes to put pressure on the away side.

In addition, Anfield has a capacity of 550 million.

Millwall has yet to experience more than 40,000 spectators of the league so far. Neil Stadium can only accommodate more than 20,000 fans, and the largest opponent encountered away from home was only 30,000 fans.

This is something that must be noted.

There are so few players in Millwall's squad with tournament experience that too many away fans could affect the form of the players, and Zhang Yang has been a constant reminder to prepare them for this.

Before the game, Zhang Yang was still very low-key.

Before attending the press conference, Zhang Yang met Liverpool coach Benitez in the corridor, he knew Benitez in his previous life, and the Spaniard is known as the 'master tactician', but the interesting thing is that when the two met together, Benitez came over warmly to shake hands, "I saw your photo in the news, but I didn't expect you to be younger than in the photo." ”

Zhang Yang regarded it as a compliment, "Thank you." ”

"Can you leave a phone call?"

"Huh?" Zhang Yang didn't understand Benitez's brain circuit, but Benitez said enthusiastically, "I'm very interested in the tactics you play, and I hope to have time to communicate." ”

"Okay."

Zhang Yang took the pen and paper handed by a staff member, wrote down the phone number and handed it to Benitez, Benitez kicked it seriously in his arms, and his cautious appearance suddenly made Zhang Yang feel good.

Many reporters saw this scene, and they couldn't hear the conversation between the two from a distance, but it didn't prevent them from taking pictures with their cameras, and then some reporters 'analyzed', "Could it be that Benitez is a fan of Zhang Yang?" Is he asking for an autograph? ”

"I think so."

"Possibly."

"It looks like I'm asking for an autograph just now!"

After the press conference began, a reporter asked about the scene just now, and Benitez just explained, "I want to know Zhang, he is a very good coach." ”

Reporters were more positive about the results of the analysis, and some of them added to their brain circuits, "Maybe it's not Benitez, it's his child?" Or a younger brother? Anyway, it's a person who has a good relationship, and he wants to get a signature from Zhang Yang. ”

The atmosphere before the game was very harmonious.

After the two sides entered the stadium, the atmosphere was very discordant, the Liverpool fans in the stands frantically cheered for Liverpool, and the roar of tens of thousands of people filled Anfield with a frenzy.

Zhang Yang's brow furrowed.

The stands were full of Liverpool fans, and their incessant shouting was really bothersome.

This is Anfield!

Zhang Yang kind of understands why this place is considered 'terrifying', for the away team, there are cheers for the opponent everywhere, and it feels a little uncomfortable, which can affect the performance of the players.

Millwall played the main line-up: Braniff played as a central striker, Josh Simpson and Darren Bent were divided into left and right wing-backs, which can also be called left and right forwards, and the midfield was partnered by two midfielders, Livermore and Elliott and Smitchell, plus Konchesky, Wes Morgan, Darren Ward and Alan Hutton.

Millwall fielded their strongest squad and the goal of the flamboyant was of course to win.

'Divination' has a seven-star three-point rating on the strength of this lineup, which is no worse than the 4231 formation with Jody Morris, which shows that Smitchell is gradually integrating into the team, and another important point is that Zhang Yang has found a way to change the formation.

The current starting formation is still 4231, but Smitchell has also begun to become familiar with the 'central midfield' style of play, when Smitchell retreats, the premise of the two full-back positions, the lineup suddenly becomes a 433 formation with three backs, which is somewhat similar to Chelsea's style of play, which is to strengthen the defense by moving back as a whole, so as to carry out a more stable defensive counterattack.

Millwall's style of play cannot be exactly the same as Chelsea's, and the change of formation in the game can only be placed on the 'defensive counterattack', and when the front is advanced, the formation becomes 4231 again, because there is no pure midfielder support, and the cooperation in the front court is somewhat unplayable, mainly because Braniff's ability is too single, Darren Bent is not very good at cooperating, only Simpson is more comprehensive, but Simpson is too young, both in terms of technology and experience, and Smitchell and Morris are a lot worse.

Millwall's starting line-up surprised the media slightly.

Sky Sports commentator Kyle Bullard, who noticed that Braniff and Darren Bent were starting together, was a little confused about their position, and only noticed that Darren Bent was playing at left midfield when the game was about to start and the formation was laid out.

"Darren Bent playing left wing-back? It's the first time...... Kyle Bullard is a little unsure, he didn't explain Millwall's game, he knows the information before the game, and he knows that Darren Bent is a striker for Millwall, "he might be able to play as a wing-back. ”

Millwall is not short of men on the left.

Joey Healy was 'rotated' in the last round, and his physical condition was maintained well, but Zhang Yang still let Darren Bent play, because Bent can bring versatility to the tactics and make the tactics more flexible, and Joey Healey's personal ability is focused on defense and can not give much offensive support to the team.

This is also done by considering the situation of the opponent.

Liverpool's results are not good, but they have defended well, drawing four of the first five rounds, all but one of the 1-1 games, the other three are all 0-0, and conceding one goal in four games, which is enough to show Liverpool's defensive ability, of course, but also shows that their forward efficiency is terrible.

"So we're mainly targeting the heart of the opposition – Gerrard!" Zhang Yang explained the team very seriously.

When it comes to the field, Millwall do the same, with at least one player in front of Gerrard being on target, mostly Livermore.

Livermore's defensive advantage is that he is strong, and Gerrard is not the kind of player who is good at showing his skills at his feet, and Liverpool does not have any excellent technical set-pieces, that is, Gerrard's long-range shot is not bad, and it is perfect for Livermore to mark Gerrard.

Elliott is a bit worse.

Elliott's one-on-one defensive ability is also good, he is more 'smart' than Livermore, and he will not be easily passed, but Elliott will have the same problem as many of Gerald's opponents: Gerard is too strong!

Steven Gerrard is not the kind of player who shows off his skills, and he is one of the strongest in the England team.

If you let someone who is not as strong as Gerrard mark, it is easy to be eaten hard by Gerrard, and from a technical standpoint, Livermore can create enough problems for Gerrard.

Now Gerald has experienced it.

In the Premier League, there are very few opponents who can fight with him, but now he has met a 'completely untouchable' opponent, this opponent is too tough and very strong, the two have had several physical contacts, and he is the one who suffers every time.

As soon as the game started, Gerrard was full of bitterness, and he had not found a good way for the time being, so he could only cooperate with his teammates continuously.

Liverpool also played very passively for a while.

It's an incredible opening: Millwall can just hold Liverpool down a bit!

But in fact, the game situation is not surprising at all, Liverpool's attack is not suppressive, they are also good at defending counter-attacks, rather than advancing head-on, Millwall starts with a more attacking formation, two full-backs Darren Bent and Josh Simpson, the offensive ability is not bad, but Smitchell is the most active on the field, his old club is Liverpool, he is too familiar with Liverpool, and he is also very motivated against his old club.

So Smitchell did very well.

Millwall has a good performance for every player, and the current tactical style of play was originally formulated for the main lineup, and everyone can play more than 80% of their strength, but Smitchell is the special one: one is that he is the core of the attack and has a lot of opportunities to touch the ball, and the other is that he is very familiar with Liverpool and has a lot of experience in the tournament, so he will not be affected by the shouting of the away atmosphere at all.

There is also a third, Liverpool has a lot of players, and they are all familiar with Smitchell.

The third seems to be the same as the second, but it is actually different, the impression of Liverpool players on Smitchell is stuck in last season, in Liverpool's fixed tactics, Smitchell does not play much, he needs to play according to the tactical play.

In Millwall's tactics, Smitchell is free to perform.

This is where the difference in performance between the two lies.

The Liverpool players played better as they remembered, but Smitchell played better, he looked like a fish in water in the game, he could play all kinds of abilities, pass the ball when he should pass, and dribble the ball when he should dribble.

Smitchell dribbles the ball past a rare sight for Liverpool players.

Now Smitchell has broken through more often, and when the game reached the sixteenth minute, Smitchell encountered the defense of Xavi Alonso, who was familiar with Smitchell, standing in the position in front, subconsciously thought that Smitchell would pass the ball, and then found that Smitchell chose to pass.

Alonso has been passed!

At the moment when Smitchell rushed over, Alonso's mind still turned a little, "How so?" Vladimir actually dribbled the ball himself? ”

The next moment Alonso realized the danger.

In a solid defensive formation, it is very dangerous for one player to be passed by the opponent, and it is not easy to make up for it, and adding other players means that there will be leaks elsewhere.

It was Darren Bent who was left out this time.

Liverpool players don't care about Darren Bent, Darren Bent is not famous in the Premier League, he landed in the Premier League only this season, some time ago, the media reported a lot about him, but only a few goals, it is difficult to get the attention of Liverpool stars, to say that Millwall team, there is only one Josh Simpson who is valued, even Benitez reminded them not to foul in dangerous positions before the game, "There is a player named Josh on the other side, and the free kick technique is very good!" ”

Darren Bent?

Haven't heard of it!

Darren Bent easily latched on to Smitchell's pass and then slotted the ball towards Liverpool before veteran Hyypia could get in front of him.

"Look at this ball!"

"Danger!"

No need to be reminded by others, the Liverpool players are also aware of the danger, they did not expect Darren Bent to be so decisive in the cross, and a horizontal pass, which makes people a little unguardable, most of the players will not stand so far back, there is no chance to block, looking in the direction of the football roll, Smitchell, who is following up, has already swung his right foot.

"Bang!"

This kick is quite powerful!

A shot on the line of the small penalty area, even if there is no angle to speak of, is enough to have a powerful way, and Liverpool goalkeeper Reyna can do nothing but watch the football drill into the goal.

That's when everyone reacted - the ball was in!